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Shields sad to hear about I'll Have Another

Shields sad to hear about I'll Have Another

MIAMI -- Triple Crown hopeful I'll Have Another was scratched from the Belmont on Friday because of a swollen tendon in his left leg. He will now retire and be put out to stud.

The news that the colt's chances to become the first horse in 34 years to win the Triple Crown -- since Affirmed in 1978 -- had been derailed was met with some sadness in the Rays' clubhouse.

James Shields' uncle, Jim Jimenez, is the farrier (provides hoof and foot care) for I'll Have Another. On Thursday morning, Jimenez hosted a contingent of Rays personnel at Belmont, and they actually got to see the horse up close.

Shields called the news "a shame."

"We had some of the [Rays'] trainers go over there," Shields said. "I was hoping they could fix him up. It's really sad to be honest with you. He's a great horse. I kind of feel bad for my uncle. It was a good time for him up in New York. I think they did the right thing and shut him down. You never want to hurt a horse that way."